Please share my final message and website www.natashalau.net with teachers you know so they can make an informed decision and vote on Tuesday May 22 or Wednesday May 23.  

 

If you can pull the vote on election day within your department and with your teacher friends then we will win this election.

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I am Natasha Lau.  An advocate, a teacher, and someone who believes in the power of change. My vision is simple: improvement is possible. For this vision to become reality, I need you to hear, visualize, and believe in the possible with me. Together, with a shared vision, we can move forward as one.  

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Our union’s unofficial slogan, “if it is not written in the collective agreement, nothing can be done” must be erased from existence.  There are countless pressure points that can be leveraged to achieve reasonable outcomes and improvements for teachers outside of the collective agreement.  It requires strategy and persistence, but it is possible.

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For two decades, I’ve dedicated myself to representing the best interests of teachers. As a branch president and health and safety rep, I’ve volunteered countless hours on OSSTF committees. My unique combination of skills and experience has allowed me to win concessions for teachers at my school and beyond.

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I understand you because I’ve been you—a teacher—for twenty years. Our working lives are increasingly difficult, burdened by many factors including geographic challenges as teachers are shuffled across the city, with limited opportunities to return to schools closer to home.  Last year, only 6 transfers and 12 MAPS were granted.  This year, over 300 job postings from July to April were off-limits to contract teachers.  You deserve better.

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Our political action must focus on creating improvement where it matters most—the worst-managed schools. By applying pressure on principals to be reasonable or move along, we can effect change. A few successful transformations each year will make significant progress.

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Believe improvement in your contract language is possible. Believe improving your working conditions is possible. Believe improving your job satisfaction is possible. Vote for me - Natasha Lau - because I will challenge the status quo and deliver the change you deserve.

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Thank you.